Our Wallington Day Care Service, which supports people who are living with dementia and a range of age related conditions, has been chosen by London’s oldest Badminton Club, St. Margaret’s Badminton Club in Tooting, South London as its fundraising Charity of Choice for the 2025/2026 season.
Each season, the Club and its Members support and fundraise for a local or national charity and, for the 2025-2026 season, the Club voted to fundraise for Friends of the Elderly’s Wallington Day Care Service.
“We decided to support Wallington Day Care in honour of our former Treasurer, Sue Smith,” said Club Member and Charity Secretary, Marie Kaune. “Sue was not only our Treasurer, but a Club Member for over 40 years and was a client at Wallington Day Care.”
Melanie Pheasant, has been the Administrator at Wallington Day Care for over 17 years and has fond memories of Sue. “Sue was a client at the Day Care Centre from August 2021 to January 2023. She was a friendly lady who often spoke about her love of Badminton and the Club. She was still very passionate about the game and proud of her achievements over her 40 years of being a Member and the Treasurer.”
“It’s wonderful to be St. Margaret’s Badminton’s Charity of Choice this season,” said Nicky Davies, the Manager at Wallington Day Care. “To hear that the Members are aiming to fundraise £3,000 for us is overwhelming.”
To get their fundraising activities off to a flying, ‘smashing’ start, the Members will be taking on an enormous challenge, a 100km bike ride over the Surrey Hills on Sunday 29th June. “Marie and Kieren Easton, the Club’s other Charity Secretary, recently visited us at Wallington Day Care to tell us about their amazing cycling event and to have a chat about their fundraising ideas and Club Members volunteering at the Day Care Centre,” continued Nicky.
“We talked about new interactive and inclusive activities they could host for our clients, one of which was Seated Badminton played with balloons. This will be great because at Wallington Day Care we ensure the clients have the opportunity to participate in a diverse and wide range of meaningful activities. For St. Margaret’s to host Seated Badminton, which is a fun and modified version of the sport, I know it will definitely be something the clients will enjoy taking part in.”
There are many other benefits for the clients of taking part in the Seated Badminton sessions. “Seated Badminton promotes social interaction and physical activity, as well as helping hand to eye coordination and developing agility as the clients will be hitting the balloon back and forth, just like a shuttlecock. The sessions will also be an excellent opportunity for more connectivity between the clients and volunteers whilst, at the same time, boosting confidence and self-esteem,” added Nicky.
“Other meaningful activities at Wallington Day Care include cultural pursuits, arts and craft sessions, hand and nail care, quizzes, interactive light exercise classes and reminiscence sessions where the clients share their memories, which is also an added, extra way the Care Team can learn more about each individual,” continued Shirley Bradley, Friends of the Elderly’s Head of Day Care Services.
“We use our person-centred approach to creating all our meaningful activities. We pay attention to the clients, listen to what they like to do, when they like to do it. The Care Team gets creative to ensure each individual feels included, motivated and engaged. The Seated Badminton will be a fantastic addition to our activities calendar.”
“We’re very proud to support and fundraise for Friends of the Elderly’s Wallington Day Care Service,” continued Marie. “It’s such a fantastic charity and service which does so much for older people, especially those living with dementia.
“Everyone at St. Margaret’s Badminton Club is excited to be part of the fundraising activities, to interact with the clients and to see the real, tangible impact all our efforts will have.”
“We are extremely grateful to all the Members at St. Margaret’s Badminton Club for selecting Wallington Day Care as their fundraising charity this season. It will be lovely to be supported by them, give the clients new and fun activities to participate in and it’s also a lovely way to honour Sue,” added Nicky.
“Having additional visitors and volunteers from the Badminton Club, coupled with new, inclusive and fun activities, will be wonderful for the clients’ physical and mental wellbeing. We are all looking forward to getting our ‘shuttle’ on and having a ‘smashing’ time.”
Find out more about Wallington Day Care by calling 020 8669 7398 or emailing enquiries@fote.org.uk.